15 posts categorized "Freddy Garcia"

July 19, 2009

The White Sox will watch Freddy Garcia throw a bullpen session Monday and then assign him to a minor league rehabilitation stint. Garcia has been working on strengthening his arm since signing a minor league deal with the Sox in late May.

Garcia, 33, was 14-8 for the world champion Sox in 2005 and 17-9 the following year before he was traded to Philadelphia for Gavin Floyd. He won only one game for Philadelphia before having shoulder surgery in April 2007. He also pitched three games for the Tigers last season before getting released and then was released again this spring freom the Mets' minor leagues.

The Sox also have brought back outfielder Scott Podsednik from the 2005 team and have re-signed another pitcher from the '80s, pitcher Bartolo Colon, who is rerhabbing in the minors.

"I'm feeling good," Garcia said Sunday. "If I have no pain, I can pitch."

"So far, yeah, we don’t have any choice," said Guillen, aware that Richard's struggles have garnered a lot of speculation about his status.

Richard hasn't pitched six innings in seven of his past eight starts. The Sox won't have a day off in the second half until Aug. 3. That includes a July 24 doubleheader at American League Central leader Detroit that Bartolo Colon appears lined up to pitch in if he's ready.

Guillen said the Sox have studied videotape of Richard, "but we don’t have any better choice," Guillen said. "We have to wait to see how Colon is doing, and see what happens. Right now, I’m supporting him (Richard)."

Guillen ruled out Freddy Garcia as an immediate candidate. Garcia is regaining strength in his right shoulder in the minor leagues.

"He hasn't turned the corner," said Guillen, who talked to Garcia recently but said Garcia is "throwing well."

Guillen confirmed that Mark Buehrle will start the second half July 17 against Baltimore, followed by fellow left-hander John Danks. Guillen wants his left-handers to face Tampa Bay in the following series and as many right-handers as possible to combat Detroit's predominantly right-handed hitting lineup in a four-game series starting July 24.

June 08, 2009

"Big Game" Freddy Garcia, who pitched for the White Sox from 2004-06, agreed to a minor league contract with the Sox after passing a physical examination Monday in Chicago.

Garcia, who won the fourth and clinching game of the 2005 World Series, headed to Arizona to get back into pitching shape. The Sox plan to bring Garcia along slowly after he came off right shoulder surgery and was cut last April by the New York Mets.

Garcia last pitched in a major league game in September against the Sox while pitching for Detroit.

April 28, 2009

The White Sox managed a split of their doubleheader Tuesday night with Seattle despite managing a total of eight hits.

Their 9-1 loss to Seattle in the second game was inflated after relievers D.J. Carrasco and Lance Broadway allowed four runs in the final five innings. Carrasco had his scoreless streak snapped at 8 1/3 innings, but Broadway became the latest in a short series of middle relievers who has been peppered (following Mike MacDougal and Jack Egbert).

Which raises the subject of whether the Sox would consider re-signing Freddy Garcia, who was released Tuesday by the New York Mets after posting an 0-2 record and 8.18 ERA at Triple-A Buffalo.

Manager Ozzie Guillen, whose wife Ibis is the aunt of Garcia's wife, wanted to talk to Garcia to check on his health. Garcia has been nagged by shoulder problems since 2007, and his velocity dipped after helping lead the White Sox to the 2005 World Series.

"I know he'll find a job and hopefully he'll pitch better for the next team," Guillen said. "I'm not going to say for us yet because I don't know anything about it. But he will find a job."

The Sox signed leadoff batter Scott Podsednik to a minor league contract two weeks ago and would likely do the same with Garcia if they are interested in him. Garcia was to earn $1.5 million if added to the Mets' 40-man roster, with incentives that could have brought the total value to $9 million.

Last winter, the Sox had interest in Garcia and Jon Garland ($6 million guaranteed) but settled for Bartolo Colon, who beat Seattle 2-1 in the first game and has a $1 million base salary with an additional $2 million in incentives.

"I don't think he should retire," Guillen said. "There are a lot worse guys out there. A lot are very bad. And there are a lot who are better than him. But Freddy can still help. If Freddy is healthy, ... . Freddy knows how to pitch. And right now, that's my view."

February 22, 2009

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen was stunned when infielder Javier Castillo asked if it was OK for him to play for Panama in the World Baseball Classic.

"I said, 'Are you crazy?' " Guillen said. "That's your country. You might not have a chance to wear that uniform. You got less of a chance to wear that uniform than wearing a White Sox uniform in the big leagues."

Guillen was just as proud that reliever Matt Thornton could become the first Sox player to represent the United States in the World Baseball Classic.

Guillen added that there is an added emphasis on the WBC in his home country of Venezuela because Venezuela didn't advance to the final round and that there are fewer sports and forms of entertainment, compared to other countries.

"In Venezuela, if you don't want to go (to the WBC), they might burn down your house," Guillen said. "That's a big deal in our country."

Catcher A.J. Pierzynski (U.S.) and reliever Octavio Dotel (Dominican Republic) will find out Tuesday whether they've been selected to play in the WBC.

"If A.J. is catching that team, then the United States will be out in the first round," Guillen quipped. "A.J. just wants to spend a couple of more days in Florida, but that's his decision. We are going to take a look at those other (catchers) anyway."